Often God involved his chosen servants in matters that he planned. In the case of our text, God wanted the prophet to have direct input into doing the impossible by re-animating a massive group of bones. We might at first sight think this has nothing to do with us but that is far from the truth. Yes, initially this prophecy does concern the unification of Israel and Judah once again into a single nation. However, the lesson learned that we could take away from this text is very profitable for us today.
The emotional and national condition of the people was the worst it could be. They were defeated in battle, exiled to foreign nations, and had no reason to consider hope for the future. Then God showed Ezekiel a vision. At first it was a typical representation of his countryās condition. Before him there were bones that were stripped of all flesh, bleached by the sun as they lay in a heap of bleakness.
Then God told him to āpreachā to the dry bones. We are uncertain what exactly he said in full. God honored his compliance. The bones assimilated themselves into fleshly bodies, but they still did not live. Then God told him to join together two sticks that meant the nation would be united. He was to address the wind that, when he did, life came. Herein is the promise that the re-assembled nation would come into existence in the future as God works. This was a prophecy to be fulfilled in the distant time.
How does this provide encouragement to us? We begin first with the fact that we are no different than the ancient Jews. Our state of spiritual life is dead without Christ. Our nature is fallen like in a battle. Sin has had its way rotting what makes us into an empty shell. We lay defeated whether we realize it or not. Mankind is a defeated race.
Remember that the dead are unaware of what happened to them. Sin laden souls are accustomed to spiritual deadness. The only hope is the word from God. This is why the preacher in todayās world is God ordained. He is an instrument used by God and deserves respect as an especially called man standing between the divine and humanity.
After the preacher delivers his message from heaven, there still is little solution because the Spirit of God must yet breath into believers as part of salvation. We can be encouraged that God awaits to enliven us. He wants to give us more than what Adam threw away. Our future may be immediate or be held in a God planned future for each of us. As the dry bones became living bodies in prophecy, so will we through salvation have a fuller life beyond what death captured.
As the bodies of Ezekiel came to life, so will we have a future of life in eternity. What there is about us will someday be transformed like unto the body of Christ. Be of good cheer because God is not done even though it may seem like it to us. We have a new future here and in the future by the blood of Christ.
Christian Writer 